Author: Mai
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HOAs IN CANADA
What They Do, What Powers They Have, and How By-Laws Can Make Your Life Miserable If you live in a planned community, a townhouse complex, or certain types of subdivisions, you may be part of a Homeowners’ Association (HOA). While less common in Canada than in the United States, HOAs do exist here—and they can wield significant…
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COSTLY MISTAKES CONDO BOARDS MAKE THAT OWNERS PAY FOR
Who Really Runs Your Condo Corporation? The Hidden Dynamics of Power, What Every Owner Should Know When you buy a condominium, you’re not just buying a home. You’re entering into a unique legal arrangement—one that allows multiple unit owners to collectively govern their building through a corporation. Decisions are made by a volunteer board of…
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COURTROOM ETIQUETTE, CANADIAN-STYLE
What Every Self-Rep Needs to Know Walking into a courtroom for the first time can be intimidating. As a self-represented litigant, you’re not only navigating the law—you’re also navigating an unfamiliar environment with its own rules, traditions, and expectations. One of the best things you can do before your day in court is to learn…
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THE REAL EXPERIENCE BEHIND MY LEGAL NOVEL
My Real-Life Experience As A Self-Represented Litigant in Canada When I first started searching for information on self-representation in Canadian courts, I was struck by how little was available. There were a few books, yes, but nothing that spoke directly to what I was going through. Family law, on the other hand, had a wealth…
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CAN AI HELP YOU FIGHT YOUR LEGAL BATTLE?
What Self-Reps Need to Know With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, a question on many minds—especially those navigating the legal system alone—is this: Will AI replace lawyers? And more importantly, as a self-represented litigant, can I use AI to help me fight my own legal battle? The short answer is: AI is already changing…
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MISTAKES SELF-REPS MAKE: GOING TO THE WRONG COURT OR TRIBUNAL
One of the most common—and most preventable—mistakes self-represented litigants make is filing their case in the wrong venue. Whether you’re heading to court or a specialized tribunal, understanding jurisdiction is critical. And yet, it’s something many people overlook until it’s too late. What Is Jurisdiction? In simple terms, jurisdiction refers to the legal authority of a court…
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HOW CONDO CORPORATIONS USE LAWYERS TO PRESSURE OWNERS
What Condo Owners Need To Know Did you know that the word “condo” doesn’t actually refer to a type of building? It’s a legal concept. A condominium is a form of property ownership, and it can apply to residential apartments, commercial units, or even mixed-use developments. When you buy a condo, you’re purchasing a specific…
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EXCERPT FROM MY NOVEL, CONDOZILLA
A Novel Based On The Real-Life Story of A Self-Rep Being a self-rep in court, I felt like I’d stepped into a foreign land where I didn’t speak the language. Sitting in the hallway waiting for my number to be called, I’d watch the chaos unfold around me and listen. I heard the same stories…
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WHAT IS A PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE?
And What I Wish I’d Known As A Self-Represented Litigant in Canada When we think about going to court, most of us picture the trial itself: standing before a judge, presenting evidence, making arguments. But long before you ever reach that point, there are important steps along the way—steps that can shape the outcome of…